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Holiday ice skating opens at Downtown Commons in Clarksville

Montgomery County holds opening day for ice skating at Downtown Commons Friday night in Clarksville.

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Montgomery County holds opening day for ice skating at Downtown Commons Friday night in Clarksville, with Gnash from the Nashville Predators in attendance.(Photo: JOSH VAUGHN/FOR THE LEAF-CHRONICLE)Buy Photo

TRC is a nonprofit, and any money made at the rink will go toward maintenance and to other events that will be planning when the rink is not open from the end of November to Jan. 31.

During warmer months, the area where the rink is located and the surrounding gravel area will be grass.

Downtown Commons as a whole is still under construction. The rink portion opened Friday to take advantage of the Christmas season and cooler weather.

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Montgomery County holds opening day for ice skating at Downtown Commons Friday night in Clarksville, with Gnash from the Nashville Predators in attendance.(Photo: JOSH VAUGHN/FOR THE LEAF-CHRONICLE)

Durrett said was happy to see Friday night's crowd swell so large.

"I think it's an awesome turnout," he said. "I think it's a win for our community without a doubt."

He said there were a mixture of ages braving the ice, about 70 at a time for 70 minutes. He said Saturday's turnout could be even larger because some may have shied away from opening night crowds.

Three sessions were scheduled for Friday, and skating began a little early because the first one sold out so quickly. Because some stayed on the ice for less time, about 100 skaters took part.

Montgomery County was 100 percent responsible for the construction of the Downtown Commons. Work and land cost $6.2 million with $1 million coming from the City of Clarksville.

"Some people may ask why we are doing it in the middle of downtown, but I say we are doing it in the middle of Montgomery County."

Durrett took his spin on the ice, even if it wasn't as graceful as some.

"I didn't fall, but I held onto the rail the whole time, too," he said.

Clarksville attorney Mark Olson skated almost a minute.

"I just did it to say I did it on opening night," he said, adding that he has an old knee injury. "This is great. For young kids and people who skate, this is really great."

He said he hadn't skated since he played hockey for a youngster's league in Minnesota at age 11.

By the time Beau Byrant made it all the way around the rink, he was almost a pro.

"It was fun," he said. "When you fall, it's normally upsetting, but this is fun."

Tosca Reis, who works for Ice Gold Entertainment, which staffs the skate center, said Friday night was so popular that common sizes, 6 to 9, ran out because of high demand. Those customers could skate at a different time.

The center stocks 300 pairs of skates.

The rink is 78 by 43 feet and has a capacity for 70 people at a time. It will be open during holiday hours through Jan. 31.

Reach Reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at singersoll@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf